Early Childhood Education

Child Development Associate ® (CDA) Prior Learning Credit

Description: Students can get credit for prior learning based on their experience working in the early childhood field.  For those who have earned the Child Development Associate CDA® Certificate, Heartland is offering 6 hours of college credit for prior learning based on their experience working in the early childhood field in a center-based preschool

Submit scores: Students must submit a copy of their CDA certificate to the Records Office. The credential number must be on the certificate. 

Expiration: Students must have attained the CDA within the past three years. 

Credit acceptance: Students may be granted a max of 30 credits or 50% of their program plan. In order for prior learning credit to be posted to an account, students must be in a HCC degree seeking program. 

The Records Office will only post prior learning credit relevant to your HCC degree. Posting irrelevant credit could negatively impact your financial aid and/or veterans benefits. Please contact Financial Aid for more information at FinAid@heartland.edu

Transferability: Advanced Placement may only be applicable to your program at Heartland and may not transfer. Please consult your transfer institution about transferability.

• CHLD 103: Healthy Interactions, Relationships and Environment (ECE Level 2)
• CHLD 121: Foundations of Child Development (ECE Level 2)
• CHLD 228: Foundations of Health, Safety & Nutrition for the Young Child I (ECE Level 2)

Prior Learning Assessments

Heartland provides opportunities for those working in early childhood education at least one year to earn college credit for prior learning and experience in the field. PLAs can be taken for several ECE classes and if passed, students test out of the course and receive college credit.

Learn more information by visiting the Early Childhood Education page on prior learning